From the Balcon de la Loggia de Saint-Pierre, the new Pope Léon XIV sent some of his first words to his adoptive people of Peru. In Spanish, he launched a “Hello everyone and in particular to my dear diocese of Chiclayo, in Peru, where a faithful people accompanied their bishop, shared their faith and given a lot, a lot to continue to be a church faithful to Jesus Christ”. At the same time, at more than 10,400 kilometers, the bells sounded in each of the churches of her former diocese, the sirens whistled in the streets and the parliament even hung his session to greet “The New Peruvian Pope” ! On social networks, the photo of a Peruvian identity card on behalf of Robert Francis Prevost – acquired in 2015 and without deadline – immediately circulated. “Dios es peruano” (God is Peruvian) is an expression used in the country when luck smiles. Now … the pope too!
“It was at the heart of the populations who suffered from disasters”
This May 8 in the evening, the faithful did not believe their ears: they rushed to the forecourt of the churches to share the joy of the election of the new pontiff that they already know well, reassured to be always in his heart! For almost twenty years, Pope Leo XIV has indeed lived in Peru. First as a missionary, then as responsible for the Augustinian seminar of Trujillo, and finally as a bishop of the city of Chiclayo, of which he was previously apostolic administrator. “He knows our wealth but also our miseriessays Carmen, a faithful from Lima. It was at the heart of the populations who suffered from disasters: floods, delinquency … “
A long mission whose photos have flooded local media such as social networks throughout the week. We see it in boots after the floods that touched the north of the country, at the table serving the traditional soup, or on horseback when he was bishop. He is described there as a man close to the people and touched by social misery, but it is also his proximity to the priests who is underlined. Those who have rubbed shoulders for years bear witness to his “Goodness” and sound “Fraternal Spirit”.
Father Jorge Millan, happy to say “Friend of the new pope” – with whom he lived for eight years – remembers: “In his decision -making and governance, he is a man who is both cautious and effective. »» He greets a “Man of faith” Who especially wanted to bring God to a population certainly Catholic at 70 %, but whose practice decreases, due to the influence of evangelical churches and very present shamanism in the Amazon.
Locally, the media also recall that in 2023, when Pope Francis called him to the Vatican, Cardinal Prevost was worried about abandoning this people who then suffered from a strong political crisis and many revolts … An attachment he still proven last August, making the trip to Peru to come and celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Diocese of Chulucanas, his first place of mission. It was his last visit to Peru, and the words of his homily remain engraved in the memory of a suffering people: “When we are in the test and tired, God gives us his strength. »»
